Employers who want to offer an equivalent plan rather than the state plan must request an Equivalent Plan Substitution.
To request a substitution, you must first make sure your employer accounts are set up. You will need a Paid Leave Administrator Account and one or more accounts with Unemployment Insurance (UI). Visit our Employer Accounts webpage for more information. Once you have your account set up, you are ready to start.
First, gather the following materials
- For insurance carrier plans:
- Policy number, plan number, and insurance carrier
- Coverage effective dates (must cover one full year from the start of a quarter)
- Insurance policy document
- For self-insured plans:
- Surety bond information form
- Self-insured plan document. We recommend using our self-insured plan guide for ease and to reduce processing time. If you prefer to compile plan information on your own, documentation must include:
- Coverage effective dates (must cover one full year)
- Plan details showing equivalency to the state program
- Payment:
- A nonrefundable fee of $250, $500, or $1000 depending on employer size
- A processing fee that varies based on payment method
Next, navigate to your Paid Leave Administrator Account
Sign in to your Paid Leave Administrator Account and follow the prompts to:
- Specify if you are requesting an equivalent plan for Family Leave, Medical Leave, or both.
- Tell us whether you will be using an insurance carrier plan or are self-insured.
- Enter your plan’s start date. It must start on the first day of a quarter and be in effect for a full calendar year.
- Provide plan details.
Insurance carrier plans: provide the name of the insurance carrier, as well as your plan and policy numbers.
Self-insured plans: provide the surety bond number, as well as the name of the bond issuer and their contact information.
- Certify that the plan meets Paid Leave requirements.
- Upload supporting documents.
For insurance carrier plans, upload your policy document.
For self-insured plans, upload your surety bond information form and plan documentation.
- Attest and sign your request.
- Submit your fee payment. You will be directed to the U.S. Bank portal.
After you submit your request
After you submit your request, you will receive an email from U.S. Bank confirming your payment. You can check the status of your request at any time in your Paid Leave Administrator Account.